Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : How to force copyright?

[Payton Designs]

How to force copyright?

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone knows how to force the copyright in the footer. I've seen certain programs that won't run unless the information in the footer is present.
I know there are always ways to work around it, but how do you set one up?
Thanks!





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[the_pm]

Most applications have a small fee you can pay to have copyright information removed from the footer. Unless the creator specifically allows for information regarding application rights to be modified, certainly you wouldn't want to violate the license under which you are using the software, right?
What is the application you're wanting to "unbrand?"





__________________Studio1337 Web Design and Development - formerly Equentity LLCRecent client site launches: TheWHIR.com | 6thgearexperience.com

[Payton Designs]

No, what I'm trying to do is brand my name into the footer of websites I've designed. Then, if the client chooses to keep it for a discounted rate on the design how can I force them to leave it?





__________________█████ Payton Designs | Providing the most stunning designs on the web.█████ Offering Stylish Custom Web Designs, Script Integration Services,

[the_pm]

Quote:



Originally Posted by Payton Designs


No, what I'm trying to do is brand my name into the footer of websites I've designed. Then, if the client chooses to keep it for a discounted rate on the design how can I force them to leave it?


Ahh, ok. You're trying to emulate this behavior. That makes sense.
The first thing to do is to get your contracts in order. IANAL, but I believe anything you create for a client falls under work-for-hire unless specified otherwise. This means there are some legal aspects to blocking someone from removing their site's copyright, because in essense you're dictating acceptable usage of something you do not own. Once the site has been exchanged for the predetermined amount, I believe you give up the right to exercise control over the copyright statements or any aspect of the sites you design.
If you've considered this already and have it handled, great! If not, this is where you'll want to start.
If this is in place, you have a free method for enforcing your copyright statement - your contract
From a technology standpoint, you're talking about encrypting the server-side mechanisms that generate your HTML pages (if you have none, you'll probably need to add this layer of complexity to your work), and then using some method of authentication to call back to a server you maintain with information that confirms necessary elements are being displayed.
I imagine this would be easy enough to defeat using a little CSS ( something like this: { position:absolute ; visibility:hidden } ). Then just insert your own footer, and that's that.
Really, the best way to enforce any sort of site condition is to make sure it is specified in your agreement with the customer and then holding them to it.





__________________Studio1337 Web Design and Development - formerly Equentity LLCRecent client site launches: TheWHIR.com | 6thgearexperience.com

[Red Squirrel]

The only way to do this would be if you wrote the entire site in a compiled language, like compiled php or something. Even then I'm sure someone who knows what they're doing can decompile it. Look into Zend. (never used it myself mind you)





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[allportpc]

If your customer is not a web person, you could always create an include file with the footer information. When they pay, you just delete everything in the include.
Another option, encrypt your pages, the code will be in there. You would have to put a new page up there once they pay more without the copyright.
Another thing, if you encypt it, you could put in code that looks for a copyright file (lets say copyright.php) and then looks for a code (lets say 123-456-789). If it doesnt see that file with that code, then it shows the notice, otherwise it hides it. Again, you would want the pages encypted so no one could remove the code





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Shopping Carts, Linux

Current law.



Quote:



Originally Posted by the_pm


IANAL, but I believe anything you create for a client falls under work-for-hire unless specified otherwise.


When I owned a commercial photography business in the 80's

phpaudit may be of some assistance in this issue.
On top of managing licenses (ensuring users have a valid and active license etc), I believe you can force it to check the type of license and then display, or in this case, not display text or code within the script based on that license check.
Hope that helps

[the_pm]

Quote:



Originally Posted by oldwiseone


When I owned a commercial photography business in the 80's ii) the work must come within one of the nine categories of works listed in the definition above (assume Web design falls into those categories - digital media is mentioned); and iii) there must be a written agreement in advance between the parties specifying that the work is a work made for hire."
Given the third provision, it sounds like you are correct! In a freelance situation, work-for-hire must be explicitly stated. So if there's no provision stating the client has exclusive rights, then I suppose you have a case for enforcing a copyright statement. I guess it never occurred to me it would be any other way, but if a client is leasing a site design, for example, it would make sense. Ditto if the contract stipulates fee adjustments in return for links/credit.





__________________Studio1337 Web Design and Development - formerly Equentity LLCRecent client site launches: TheWHIR.com | 6thgearexperience.com

[fromfromto]

if you use a free version,i think you should keep it

[robertk1]

Our TOS specifically states that we are the owner of all designs and artwork created for customers, UNTIL PAID FOR. At the time of payment, all of our rights are automatically transferred to the customer, who is the new copyright owner.
Solves a lot of problems for us, and ensures the client knows exactly where they stand.
We've considered registering copyrights on each of our site designs in the customer's name. No real reason other than they would get an official copyright certificate from the US Copyright Office. Does anyone already provide this service? Is it worth the $10 fee?





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